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The economy is, slowly but surely, on the path to collapse once again, said SJB MP Rohini Kavirathna in a statement.

She said the current account had a balance of 432 million US dollars in the second quarter of 2024 , but it dropped to 303 million USD by the following quarter.

She cited failures in governance and economic management as the reasons for this decline.

The previous regime was able to keep the current account balance on a positive note even while repaying loans and interest to multilateral lenders.

But, that has reversed within 100 days of the present regime, said Kavirathna, adding that all spheres of society are now heavily burdened with taxes.

The resultant pressure will be felt strongly by April, added the MP.

A new chairman and two new board members have been appointed to the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), A.M.N. Ratnayake has been appointed as the new chairman of the Foundation.

The two new board members include R.J.M.A.P. Sampath and Nalin Perera.

The appointment letters were presented today (Jan 06) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

NPP Member of Parliament Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE).

The Committee on Public Enterprises has convened in Parliament today (09) at 2 p.m.

The Free Media Movement has sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police, requesting that legal action be expedited regarding the attacks targeting journalists.

The letter was signed by Hana Ibrahim, the Convener of the Free Media Movement, and Lasantha de Silva, its secretary.

According to the letter, they have learned that Thamil Selvan, a freelance journalist reporting from Kilinochchi, and Achala Upendra, the President of the Ampara District Journalists Association, were subjected to attacks in the past few days.

The letter further emphasises that journalist Thamil Selvan was assaulted, and there has been an attempt to kidnap him as well. Also, journalist Achala Upendra was attacked, and his camera equipment was damaged. Achala Upendra stated that a group involved in illegal sand mining was behind the incident.

Two newly appointed Court of Appeal Justices were formally sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (Jan 09).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the appointments were conferred upon Attorneys-at-Law Mr. K.M.S. Dissanayake and Mr. R.P. Hettiarachchi.

The two newly appointed Court of Appeal Justices took their oaths in the presence of the President at the Presidential Secretariat.

The human metapneumovirus (HMPV) spreading in China is not a new virus, nor currently a looming pandemic threat, Director of the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Prof. Chandima Jeewandara said.

In a post on ‘X’ addressing the situation Prof. Jeewandara said that Chinese authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared a state of emergency in response to a recent rise in respiratory infections in China, despite growing concern on social media.

“While HMPV is driving a rise in respiratory infections, it is neither a new virus nor a looming pandemic threat.”

Prof. Jeewandara noted that HMPV identified in 2001, is a well-documented virus that typically causes cold or flu-like symptoms, including cough, fever, and sore throat. In severe cases, it can lead to bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

“Respiratory infections are common during winter and typically not a cause for alarm,” Prof. Jeewandara wrote. He noted that seasonal spikes in infections are expected, particularly as populations adapt to increased exposure to common pathogens following Covid-19 lockdowns.

Prof.Jeewandara also highlighted preventive measures such as handwashing and staying home when sick as critical to mitigating the spread of HMPV. While there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for the virus, most cases resolve within a week with symptomatic care, he said.

“Routine testing is not necessary unless symptoms are severe or there’s an outbreak,” Prof. Jeewandara said adding that the University’s AIlergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit possess necessary reagents to carry out testing if necessary.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health yesterday said that it is paying close attention to the virus currently reported to be spreading across China.

The Epidemiology Unit said it will brief the media after conducting a proper study.

Sri Lanka will focus on stronger recovery this year after the island nation posted real GDP growth of 5% in 2024, the highest in seven years, its central bank chief said on Wednesday, hoping to accelerate a rebound from its worst financial crisis in decades.

Sri Lanka’s economy crumpled under a severe foreign exchange crisis in 2022, but has posted a faster than expected rally after it secured a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program in March 2023 and completed a $25 billion debt restructuring in December.

The economy grew 5.2% in the first nine months of 2024, outstripping the 3% estimate by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

“Achieving a transformative acceleration in growth trajectory is essential to catch up and enhance the growth potential. This would also help enhance the debt-carrying capacity of the country,” he said at an annual policy agenda launch.

Taking advantage of lower inflation, which reached minus 1.7% in December, Sri Lanka’s central bank set a new single policy rate of 8%, easing monetary settings below previously used benchmarks and setting the stage for stronger private sector credit growth, Weerasinghe added.

Inflation is expected to reach positive territory in mid-2025, after which CBSL will focus on maintaining a 5% inflation rate.

CBSL will also strengthen monetary policy forecasting, continue to improve its reserve buffers under the IMF program, and introduce a benchmark spot exchange rate in 2025. Weerasinghe said.

Sri Lanka will continue recapitalisation of banks, consolidate large finance companies, and review the Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) of 2% to increase financial system stability, the Governor added.

Source: Reuters

--Agencies

The Ministry of Tourism has raised concerns over the lack of adequate safety measures for tourists visiting Sigiriya, particularly in the event of a wasp attack.

In a discussion chaired by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, several issues faced by both locals and foreigners were highlighted.

The meeting included senior officials from the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Department of Forest Conservation, Urban Development Authority, Dambulla Divisional Secretariat, Central Cultural Fund, and the Department of Archaeology.

Key concerns discussed included long queues at ticket counters, the absence of first aid stations, security issues due to inadequate street lighting, and a lack of water facilities.

Other issues raised were the unfriendliness of security personnel, insufficient regulation of guide services, and a lack of proper inspections.

Special attention was also given to the need for a resting place for tourists struggling to climb Sigiriya.

Additionally, the discussion covered plans to improve the Sigiriya Museum, Need to Organize Instructions and Notice Boards at Sigiriya in a Thematic and Visual Manner, and restore the ancient water fountains with support from the Department of Archaeology.

The nationwide strike action that was to be launched by private bus associations against the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Police traffic operations has been called off.

It is reported that the private bus associations had suspended the planned strike after successful discussions with the Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya today.

Accordingly, the private bus associations have been granted a 03-month grace period to adhere to the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Police traffic operations.

Private bus associations had resorted to strike action after expressing objections to the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Police traffic operations, under which they had been imposed fines and had also been ordered to remove illegal modifications.

Sri Lanka Police had launched the traffic operations under the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme in a bid to minimise road accidents.

e highest ever tax revenue in Sri Lanka’s history was recorded in 2024, collecting Rs.1.95 trillion, the Inland Revenue Department reported today.

According to the IRD, the figure is a 25.1% increase compared to the Rs.1.56 trillion collected in 2023.

Stating that Rs. 1,023 billion was collected as income tax, the IRD further said that revenue from Income Tax rose by Rs.112.1 billion in 2024.

Meanwhile, revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) increased by Rs.245.5 billion, the IRD added.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake held a discussion with the Attorney General and officials from the Attorney General’s Department at the Presidential Secretariat today (06).

During the discussion, the President emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among all institutions working towards the effective enforcement of the law.

President Disanayake highlighted the critical responsibility of the Attorney General’s Department to restore public confidence in the judicial system. He further stressed that public perception regarding political interference must be transformed to ensure trust in the legal process.

The President reiterated the government’s commitment to avoiding any actions that could erode public expectations. He assured that efforts are being made to re-establish confidence in the justice system and restore the principles of fairness and equity in the eyes of the people.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe PC, along with several officials from the Attorney General’s Department.

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa has recorded a statement with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over statements made regarding the wealth of former MP Basil Rajapaksa in the USA.

Speaking to the media, former MP Weerawansa said he had recorded a statement over comments made many years ago regarding the wealth of Basil Rajapaksa and his family members.

Wimal Weerawansa said that written information regarding his comments had been handed over to the Police.

“Basil Rajapaksa was not employed in the US. Whatever assets he owns in the US, are from the wealth acquired through his job in Sri Lana. The assets are under his and his family members’ names,” Weerawansa said, adding that information in his possession was handed over to the authorities.

He further stated that authorities should investigate the assets held by other relatives of Rajapaksa, as he does not have information about them.

Claiming that he also has information on other corrupt politicians, Weerawansa said everything cannot be revealed at once, and for now, he has only revealed about Basil Rajapaksa.

Wimal Weerawansa said the government should probe Basil Rajapaksa’s assets in the USA if they want to find corrupt politicians and if a systematic fair probe is conducted, then he would reveal details of other corrupt individuals as well.